Everyone must have submitted the income tax return for 2022 to the Tax Authorities before next Monday. Many people postpone their tax returns. How did that happen? And how do you bring your tax return to a successful conclusion this weekend?
“Do you still have to file your return? That is well in time for most people,” says tax advisor Twan Hertogs from Best. “You just have to do it. It only takes most people ten minutes.”
The Tax and Customs Administration has already filled in a lot of data. “You just have to log in to the internet and go through the steps. That’s all it is.” In short, filing your tax return this weekend is easy.
For some people it is more complicated, such as self-employed persons or people with special healthcare costs. Then it is important that you prepare all costs and administration before you file a return. It is also smart to check with the Tax and Customs Administration for which schemes and deductions you qualify. It takes time.
Don’t have that time this weekend? Hertogs: “Then you apply for a postponement. That also goes fairly quickly.” You can apply for a postponement online or by calling the Tax and Customs Administration before 1 May. In that case, you must submit the declaration before 1 September. Does an accountant do your administration? Then they usually request a postponement for you.
“People are afraid of making mistakes, but the Tax and Customs Administration does not immediately lock you up.”
2022 has already passed and you can file a declaration since March 1. Why then do so many people put off this task? “People are afraid of making mistakes.” According to Hertogs, there is no reason for that. “There is no need to panic. If you make a mistake, you adjust it. The Tax and Customs Administration does not immediately lock you up.”
The delay may also be because people are afraid that they will have to pay back a lot of money. Especially now that many households are struggling with high fixed costs. Don’t have enough money to pay a tax bill? Then you can call the Tax and Customs Administration and ask if you can get a payment arrangement.
But according to Hertogs, in many cases it is also simple procrastination. “We prefer not to do this kind of financial thing and therefore wait until the last minute.” Then it may be that you miss the deadline and that you miss the deadline.
That is not immediately a problem, by the way. The Tax and Customs Administration will first send you a reminder. If you do nothing, you will receive a reminder. You will only be fined after those warnings. This is at least 385 euros, but can rise to more than 5,000 euros if you do not file the return more often.
“For most people, just sit down for it.”
According to Hertogs, you shouldn’t let it get that far. Filing a tax return on time can save you a lot of unnecessary costs. “In some situations it is a bit more complicated, but for most people, just sit down for a while.”